What will you do differently in 2010 ?

[eborg9]

The end of another year is always a good time to reflect on what we have learned, and how to be more efficient, and tackle those things that we let slide in the previous year.
Personally, I have already started downsizing and I am getting rid of websites that I never had time to properly promote, or that I feel are a waste of time and want to get to the core of what can make me the most money.

I learned in 2009, that I like putting sites together, but lose interest in them really fast once they are up, or don't have time to run them..because I have too many...so I will put more emphasis on providing services within my "expertise", and building on my technical knowledge.

In 2010, I plan on making the sites that do make money..better..and getting rid of the ones that I have no interest in anymore...and stop putting up sites on a whim because I found a good domain.

I also plan on sticking to a definite work schedule, and start treating my office time like I work in an office, and stop wasting time when I'm in the chair.

What business resolutions do you guys have for the upcoming year ?

[Spider]

I will spend more time promoting my book - I did virtually nothing in this regard during 2009.

I will spend more time speaking - I let that slip, and spent more time than I should have on frivolous topics. I shall focus on speaking to groups that can hire me as a coach.

I intend to dress better.

[eborg9]

I intend to dress better.

Ha ! I love that one ! I don't think I've put on a suit more than 6 times this entire year.
At this point, I have more sweats, shorts and T-shirts than I do anything else, since I don't go to an office anymore.

[Spider]

Part of my reason for that one is, last year I vowed to raise my standards and one of the areas was to be in my dress. But.... I hate shopping! It's about the only thing in the world I hate. So, I didn't get to buy much in the way of new and better quality clothing.

Then the economic slump came and Jos.A.Banks had some ridiculous price reductions. $500 suits for $300 and a second suit free. $400 camelhair sportsjacket for $99. 50% off everything in the store. Well, I hope Jos.A.Banks survive this, because they sure sounded desperate at times.

I now have more suits than I know what to do with, jackets I haven't worn yet, and shirts still in their original wrappings. When thinking about how long it has been since I did any substantial clothes shopping, I figure I now have enough clothes to last me until I die. IOW, I will never have to go shopping for clothes again!

Which is fine by me!

[Evan]

I learned in 2009, that I like putting sites together, but lose interest in them really fast once they are up, or don't have time to run them.

Sounds like me...almost. I ran a website development firm and hated creating the websites, but loved managing it (which wasn't much). Led to my studies in business and accounting, completing an AS in business administration, BS in accounting, and very soon an MBA in global business leadership and accounting. Phew!

[Steve B]

More of the same.

Re: dress - I only put a jacket and tie (not a suit) on once in the last 3 years. Frankly, that was way too much for me.

[Spider]

On this question of dress, I must draw attention to the improvement in work performance with improvement in dress. If you are smarter and more meticulous in your appearance, you cannot help but be smarter and more meticulous in your performance.

It's not a matter of the best work is done by people in suits. Obviously, that is not always the case. But they don't pay guys in suits more, on average, than guys in blue jeans out of the goodness of their hearts! No-one can separate their attitude from their performance. An attitude of living to a higher standard must manifest itself as much in one's appearance as in one's performance.

[eborg9]

On this question of dress, I must draw attention to the improvement in work performance with improvement in dress. If you are smarter and more meticulous in your appearance, you cannot help but be smarter and more meticulous in your performance.

It's not a matter of the best work is done by people in suits. Obviously, that is not always the case. But they don't pay guys in suits more, on average, than guys in blue jeans out of the goodness of their hearts! No-one can separate their attitude from their performance. An attitude of living to a higher standard must manifest itself as much in one's appearance as in one's performance.

Much the same logic as the nightclub business. Normal people tend to act as if they have some sense when they are wearing their best diggs as opposed to allowing jeans and ball caps in the club.

In business, it comes down to professionalism..if you look like a million, you tend to act like a million.
Tough for guys like me who don't work around others, nor do I meet with potential clients unless they are local and insist on it...which hasn't happened yet...but it's easier to act like you are wearing a suit when no one can see you.
For all my clients know I'm in a kilt, Wisconsin Cheese hat and Scoobie Doo slippers.

[huggytree]

I had a good year in 2009...hours worked were up, sales were up 15%, profit was up 20%

I just finished my 3rd year in business and I plan to continue doing exactly what im doing. Im learning the difference between where im at (minor success) and where i want to be is down to subtle/small things. I always look for someone who's where i want to be and copy them. I found an electrician 2 months ago who is wildly successful (20 employees) and has a different way of looking at service and advertising.When i look at his advertising its obvious why he's successful..its that good and is noticably better than his competition....im planning on adapting my service & advertising in 2010 to make my company look and act a bit more like his.

I am going into 2010 believing the economy in WI is going to be worse off than 2009. My goal is to be close to my 2009 sales. unless im wrong i dont see myself getting a 15% increase again. All my thinking is towards survival. I was hoping by summer 2010 to have hired an employee...i am completely giving up on that idea and feel while the rest of the country may be pulling out of the recession here in WI were going down still....are we at the bottom? it hasnt gotten worse in 5 months now. This winter will be worse than 2009 for work.....my goal is not to use any savings.

[Spider]

...but it's easier to act like you are wearing a suit when no one can see you...

How do you act like you are wearing a suit? I can see acting like you are happy when you are not, or acting like you are stupid when you are not, but how do you act like you are wearing a suit when you are not?